. >> reporter: for the first time, republican leader mitch mcconnell described himself as hopeful and optimistic. >> we had a good meeting down at the white house. we are engaged in discussions, the majority leader and myself and the white house, in the hopes that we can come forward as early as sunday and have a recommendation that i can make to my conference, and the majority leader can make to his conference. >> reporter: the progress came as members on both sides were growing doubtful congress could get anything done before the deadline. nebraska democrat ben kesselon: >> if we don't have a deal within the next 24 hours, the question is, where do you buy a parachute? it looks like we'd be going over the cliff. >> reporter: but leader reid had this warning about the shape of a deal to come. >> everybody, whatever we come up with is going to be imperfect and some people aren't going to like it. some people will like it less, but that's where we are. >> reporter: up until now, reid and mcconnell have kind of been sitting on the sidelines as the president and speaker boehner tried but